March 4, 2004

KU Theatre to stage Wertenbaker drama 'Our Country's Good' in March

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Film and the University Theatre will stage Timberlake Wertenbaker's play "Our Country's Good" in mid-March. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 12 through 13 and 16 through 18, and at 2:30 p.m. March 14, all in Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.

The production is directed by Delores Ringer, assistant professor of theatre and film, who also designed the sets, costumes and sound for the show. Nicholas C. Mosher, Lawrence junior, is lighting designer, and Paul Meier, professor of theatre and film, is voice and dialect coach.

"Our Country's Good" is a fictionalized depiction of the first penal colony in Australia in 1788-89. The play is based on actual journals and other written accounts from that settlement.

The play begins aboard ship as a convict is being flogged. An aborigine sees the ship sail into Botany Bay in January 1788 and he wonders what kind of dream he is having. When the penal colony's benevolent governor, who believes convicts can be rehabilitated, finds out that hangings are popular entertainment for the convicts, he suggests that a play might be a better way of entertaining them. Lt. Ralph Clark begins auditioning convicts, encountering bad actors, good actors, most with no experience, and many who cannot read.

Prior to the opening performance, the University Theatre will hold FITT (Fridays in the Theatre) at 12:30 p.m. March 12 in Crafton-Preyer Theatre. Ringer and other faculty members will discuss the play.

Reserved seat tickets are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; SUA Office, (785) 864-7469; and online at http://kutheatre.com. Tickets are $16 for the public, $10 for all students, $15 for senior citizens, and $14 for KU faculty and staff.

Members of the cast for the KU production include (listed by name, class, parents' names, high school alma mater and role):

COFFEY COUNTY
From Burlington
Katrina Alford, junior, daughter of Rocky and Debbie Alford and Joel and Rebecca Vannocker; Burlington High School graduate; Duckling Smith.

DICKINSON COUNTY
From Talmage
Jason Gibson, sophomore, son of Bill and Sandy Gibson; Chapman High School graduate; 2nd Lt. William Faddy and John Arscott.

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